# 3.5. Required Changes To Your Configuration Files

After you have placed the KDE binaries into their destination directory, there are a few adjustments you must make to your startup scripts.

The following procedure was tested on SuSE Linux 5.0, and should be compatible with the other popular UNIX's as well. Always make backups of configuration files before changing them! Add the following to the end of your /etc/profile:

     export PATH=$PATH:/opt/kde/bin
     export KDEDIR=/opt/kde

Next, edit the .xinitrc file in your home directory. Look for the line that calls your window manager and replace it with `startkde`.

Now that everything needed to run KDE has been installed, you can go on to chapter 4 where you will start KDE for the first time. If something goes wrong, you may need to compile KDE on your own. Read Using TGZ to install on top of other systems for more information.

We have made the installation as bulletproof as possible, so you should not encounter any serious problems unless your configuration is exotic. If you do experience difficulties feel free to use the KDE mailing lists